Top 10: CEOs in Luxury Goods

The luxury goods sector has seen an unprecedented demand for fashion, leather goods, watches and jewellery following on from the industry’s pandemic-recovery era.

Industry-wide change like brands shifting to online-only retail and price increases drastically affected consumer purchases during and in the years after COVID-19.

Despite recent discussions of tariffs and geopolitical insecurity, luxury brands are expecting a 6.5% growth for the industry in 2026, with contributing areas like the increase in consumer disposable income and urban centre development.

CEOs of the luxury brands industry are seeking new methods of financial growth, rebuilding consumer trust and expanding operations to meet regional demand. Here, Business Chief highlights 10 leaders that grew brand revenue as a result of delivering these goals.

10. Véronique Courtois

Company: Guerlain

Revenue: US$759.6m

Location: Paris, France

As CEO of Guerlain, Véronique Courtois’s work focuses on the prestige and luxury of French perfume, skincare and cosmetics as well as its broader impact on the environment.

She leads the company with the goal in mind to achieve carbon neutral status by 2030, her strategy backed by scientific research that prioritises renewable energy sources.

Véronique believes Guerlain’s strategy going forward is informed by craftsmanship, artistry and sustainability, underpinned by contemporary style.

9. Benedetto Vigna

Company: Ferrari

Revenue: US$6.67bn

Location: Maranello, Italy

From trained physicist to Ferrari CEO, Benedetto Vigna’s career has always focused on developing innovative and advanced technologies.

Benedetto spent more than two decades at STMicroelectronics, where he founded the company’s MEMS division, a global leader in motion-activated user interfaces.

He has driven successful innovations throughout the industrial and automotive sectors, with a focus on connectivity, imaging and power solutions. 

In addition to his leadership of Ferrari, Benedetto has more than 200 patents to his name, with his work playing an instrumental role in areas like automotive safety and gaming technology.

8. Stefano Cantino

Company: Gucci

Revenue: US$7.65bn

Location: Florence, Italy

Following a five-year career at Louis Vuitton, Stefano Cantino joined Gucci in 2024, overseeing the company’s Communications and Image department.

Currently serving as Deputy CEO, Stefano brings with him more than decades of industry experience, Stefano’s experience in communications, merchandising and strategy is informed by key operations such as overseeing Prada’s global expansion and transforming Louis Vuitton’s brand image.

A luxury industry veteran, Stefano plans to focus on brand consideration, boosting desirability and enhancing exclusivity with the brand’s clients.

7. Jean-Frédéric Dufour

Company: Rolex

Revenue: US$12.5bn

Location: Geneva, Switzerland

Jean-Frédéric Dufour has served as Rolex’s CEO since 2015 and has remained committed to maintaining the brand’s legacy status in the luxury goods industry.

He began his career in the banking sector before turning his hand to the watch industry. His prior experience has aided him in developing the company image and doubling brand revenue.

Renowned for his skill in marrying heritage with innovation, Jean-Frédéric has further driven Rolex’s goal of creating products with a sense of timelessness and prestige.

6. Stéphane de La Faverie

Company: Estée Lauder

Revenue: US$14.3bn

Location: New York City, US

First assuming the CEO role in early 2025, Stéphane has been responsible for the company’s strategy, financial objectives and investment priorities, while shaping the brand’s forward-thinking vision for the future.

He has a track record of building and leading global companies, a comprehensive understanding of luxury market trends and consumer dynamics across brands like Armani, Ralph Lauren and L'Oréal Paris.

Stéphane believes in the importance of empathy and inclusivity as well as the importance of finding balance between emotional inspiration, authenticity and strategic insight to help drive long-term, sustainable growth.

5. Axel Dumas

Company: Hermès

Revenue: US$15.17bn

Location: Paris, France

A sixth-generation member of the Hermès name, Axel Dumas has served as CEO since 2014. Despite being appointed during a period of financial difficulty, Axel has spent the past decade transforming the company into one of the world’s most valuable luxury brand companies.

He believes craftsmanship is the brand’s raison d’etre and that authenticity is the key to building recognition and trust among clients. Axel also states he highly values the mystique of Hermès when it comes to purchasing one of its products.

4. Leena Nair

Company: Chanel

Revenue: US$19.7bn

Location: London, UK

As CEO of Chanel, Leena Nair remains one of the only women of colour leading a major global luxury brand. 

Leena rose through the company ranks of Unilever over the course of 30 years, eventually moving to London to serve as Senior Vice President for Leadership and Organisational development, before her appointment to Chief Human Resources Officer.

Since her appointment as Chanel’s CEO in 2022, Leena has focused her efforts on modernising structures and approach to storytelling as well as managing talent for the brand’s evolution.

3. Nicolas Bos

Company: Richemont

Revenue: US$21.4bn

Location: Bellevue, Switzerland

Nicolos began his career in luxury goods at Van Cleef & Arpels, working in several executive roles like international Marketing Director, Creative Director and CEO across his 25-year-spanning tenure.

In May 2024, he was appointed as CEO of Richemont where has focused on expanding the company’s scale and streamlining operational management.

Nicolas has always been dedicated to upholding brand excellence and creativity during his leadership of Van Cleef & Arpels and continues to do so at Richemont.

2. Michael Leiters

Company: Porsche

Revenue: US$36.27bn

Location: Stuttgart, Germany

With a doctorate in engineering, a diploma in mechanical engineering and decades of experience in the automotive industry, Michael Leiters has overseen some of McLaren’s largest development projects.

He successfully steered McLaren during a time of financial uncertainty and now uses that experience to inform his leadership at Porsche.

Michael oversaw the direction of several supercar projects, including the development of the 750S, Artura and Solus GT.

1. Bernard Arnault

Company: LVMH

Revenue: US$80.8bn

Location: Paris, France

Bernard Arnault began his career as an engineer with the Ferret-Savinal construction company before undertaking several executive positions, including company Chairman.

He then turned his hand to the reorganisation of the Financière Agache holding company where he embarked on a strategy to develop the world’s leading luxury products company. During this effort, he saved Christian Dior from financial turmoil and established it as a pillar of the new organisation.

Bernard believes that the company should always be bigger than his public image and has never served as the face of LVMH, relying on the presentation of each brand to showcase his success.